Rashard Mendenhall explains his retirement decision

Amid the hype and speculation created by the start of the free agency period, Rashard Mendall’s retirement was merely a blip in the NFL news cycle. But that was always the plan for the former first round pick who walked away from professional football at the age of 26.

Mendenhall wrote that he still enjoys the game of football but he was ready to move onto new things after a fulfilling NFL career.

“I feel like I’ve done it all,” he wrote. “I’ve been to two Super Bowls; made a bunch of money; had a lot of success; traveled all over the country and overseas; met some really cool people; made lasting relationships; had the opportunity to give back to causes close to my heart; and have been able to share my experiences and wisdom with friends, family and people all over the world.”

The outside pressure and criticism, Mendenhall added, factored into his decision to walk away.

“Imagine having a job where you’re always on duty, and can never fully relax or you just may drown,” he wrote. “Having to fight through waves and currents of praise and criticism, but mostly hate. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been called a ‘dumb n—–‘. There is a bold coarseness you receive from non-supporters that seems to only exist on the Internet. …Over my career, I would learn that everything people say behind these computer and smartphones actually shape the perception of you — the brand, the athlete and the person.”

Mendenhall also disputed the claim that his heart wasn’t in the game.

“Over my career, because of my interests in dance, art and literature, my very calm demeanor, and my apparent lack of interest in sporting events on my Twitter page, people in the sporting world have sometimes questioned whether or not I love the game of football. I do. I always have. I am an athlete and a competitor. The only people who question that are the people who do not see how hard I work and how diligently I prepare to be great — week after week, season after season. I take those things very seriously. I’ve always been a professional. But I am not an entertainer. I never have been. Playing that role was never easy for me.”

Mendenhall wrote that he was happy to enter the next phase of his life with a high quality of life.

“So when they ask me why I want to leave the NFL at the age of 26, I tell them that I’ve greatly enjoyed my time, but I no longer wish to put my body at risk for the sake of entertainment. I think about the rest of my life and I want to live it with much quality. And physically, I am grateful that I can walk away feeling as good as I did when I stepped into it.”